Carlton’s No. 3 draft pick Paddy Dow’s impact being hampered by kicking inefficiency
For all the promise Carlton’s No. 3 draft pick Paddy Dow has shown in 24 games, one glaring concern has become evident this season.
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Paddy Dow isn’t Carlton’s only problem.
But he is another symptom of the Blues’ disastrous 0-4 start to the season.
Carlton’s self-professed issues this year are about connection — linking up their star midfield with a trio of high-profile forwards.
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And the sight of Dow spearing out of the midfield then blasting a kick over their heads has become worryingly familiar.
Champion Data statistics show that Dow is the second-worst kick in the competition this year, surprisingly behind only Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney.
That statistic is based on expected accuracy, so it takes into account the degree of difficult for an inside midfielder deep in a pack.
On Sunday, there was a missed set shot from close range and a 20m kick under no pressure that went high over Mitch McGovern’s head as he led into space.
But the coach-killer that had commentator Paul Roos jumping out of his seat came with 54 seconds remaining in the narrow loss.
Running down the wing with Zac Fisher one of several teammates on his outside, he instead looped a handball inside to fellow second-year top ten pick Lochie O’Brien.
Gold Coast swooped to halve the contest and 30 seconds later Jack Bowes kicked the winning goal.
“He had three (teammates) outside him and he turned back inside with 40 seconds to go,” Roos screamed on Fox Footy in frustration.
“All he had to do was hit a target and the game is over.”
Carlton’s senior players were just as culpable — McGovern was the last-gasp sweeping defender who came off his line and Dale Thomas was lucky not to give away a high free kick to Alex Sexton seconds before Bowes’ goal.
But Dow’s inability to hit a target goes to the heart of recruiting and development, two issues at the heart of Carlton fans’ frustration.
In Dow’s four games this year he has kicked at 37 per cent efficiency, 57 per cent, 54 per cent and 28 per cent.
Blues football boss Brad Lloyd admitted he was a work in progress, with Dow’s explosiveness often putting him in space but his polish letting him down.
“He has that inside burst of speed. I think Paddy would concede ball use would be his area to tidy up so he is working on it. I saw him working at that this week (at training).
“It’s an area of his game he is chipping away at, that’s for sure. He is really growing as a second-year player and is going to be a super player for the club.
“There was one going to Mitch which was a bit high but he’s going to be a great player for the club.”
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